phenomena
chance
(1) chance \ˈchan(t)s\ n [ME, fr. AF, fr. VL cadentia fall, fr. L cadentcadens, prp. of cadere to fall; perh. akin to Skt śad- to fall off] (14c) 1 a : something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause b : the assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings : LUCK < an outcome decided by ~ > c : the fortuitous or incalculable elent in existence : CONTINGENCY 2 : a situation favoring some purpose : OPPORTUNITY < needed a ~ to relax > 3 : a fielding opportunity in baseball 4 a : the possibility of a particular outcome in an uncertain situation; also : the degree of likelihood of such an outcome < a small ~ of success > b pl : the more likely indications < ~s are he’s already gone > 5 a : RISK < not taking any ~s > b : a raffle ticket — chance adj — by chance : in the haphazard course of events < they met by chance >
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
change
(1) change \ˈchānj\ vb changed; chang•ing [ME, fr. AF changer, fr. L cambiare to exchange, prob. of Celt origin; akin to Olr camm crooked] vt (13c) 1 a : to make different in some particular : ALTER < never bothered to ~ the will > b : to make radically different : TRANSFORM < can’t ~ human nature > c : to give a different position, course, or direction to 2 a : to replace with another < let’s ~ the subject > b : to make a shift from one to another : SWITCH < always ~s sides in an argument > c : to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency) < ~ a 20-dollar bill > d : to undergo a modification of < foliage changing color > e : to put fresh clothes or covering on <~ a bed > ~ vi 1 : to become different < her mood ~s every hour > 2 of the moon : to pass from one phase to another 3 : to shift one’s means of conveyance : to shift to lower register : BREAK 5 : to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution < winter changed to spring > 6 : to put on different clothes < need a few minutes to ~ for dinner > 7 : EXCHANGE, SWITCH < neither liked his seat so they changed with each other > — chang•er n — change hands : to pass from the possession of one owner to that of another < money changes hands many times >
syn CHANGE, ALTER, VARY, MODIFY mean to make or become different. CHANGE implies making either an essential difference often accounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another < changed the shirt for a larger size >. ALTER implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity < slightly altered the original design >. VARY stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition < vary your daily routine >. MODIFY suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose < modified the building for use by the disabled>.
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
inevitable
in•ev•i•ta•ble \i-ˈne-və-tə-bəl\ adj [ME, fr. L inevitabilis, fr. in- + evitabilis evitable] (14c) : incapable of being avoided or evaded < an ~ outcome > — in•ev•i•ta•bil•i•ty \-ˌne-və-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ n — in•ev•i•ta•ble•ness \-ˈne-və-tə-bəl-nəs\ n
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
luck
(1) luck \ˈlək\ n [ME lucke, fr. MD luc; akin to MHG gelücke luck] (15c) 1 a : a force that brings good fortune or adversity b : the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual 2 : favoring chance; also : SUCCESS < had great ~ growing orchids > — luck•less \-ləs\ adj
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
circumstantial
cir•cum•stan•tial \ˌsər-kᵊm-ˈstan(t)-shəl\ adj (1600) 1 : belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances < a ~ case > < ~ factors > 2 : pertinent but not essential : INCIDENTAL 3 : marked by careful attention to detail : abounding in factual details < a ~ account of the fight > 4 : CEREMONIAL — cir•cum•stan•ti•al•i•ty \-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē\ n — cir•cum•stan•tial•ly \-ˌstan(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adv
syn CIRCUMSTANTIAL, MINUTE, PARTICULAR, DETAILED mean dealing with a matter fully and usu. point by point. CIRCUMSTANTIAL implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space < a circumstantial account of our visit >. MINUTE implies close and searching attention to the smallest details <a minute examination of a fossil >. PARTICULAR implies a precise attention to every detail < a particular description of the scene of the crime >. DETAILED stresses abundance or completeness of detail < a detailed analysis of the event >.
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
serendipity
ser•en•dip•i•ty \ˌser-ən-ˈdi-pə-tē\ n [fr. its possession by the heroes of the Pers fairy tale The Three Princes of Serendip] (1754) : the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for; also : an instance of this
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
phenomenal
phe•nom•e•nal \fi-ˈnä-mə-nᵊl\ adj (1825) 1 : relating to or being a phenomenon: as a : known through the senses rather than through thought or intuition b : concerned with phenomena rather than with hypotheses c : EXTRAORDINARY, REMARKABLE syn see material — phe•nom•e•nal•ly \-nᵊl-ē\ adv
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
what if…
pos•si•bil•i•ty \ˌpä-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ n, pl -ties (14c) 1 : the condition or fact of being possible 2 archaic : one’s utmost power, capacity, or ability 3 : something that is possible 4 : potential or prospective value – usu. used in pl. < the house had great possibilities >
pos•si•ble \ˈpä-sə-ˈbəl\ adj [ME, fr. AF, fr. L possibilis, fr. posse to be able, fr. potis, pote able + esse to be – more at POTENT, IS] (14c) 1 a : being within the limits of ability, capacity, or realization < a ~ but difficult task > b : being what may be conceived, be done, or occur according to nature, custom, or manners < the best ~ care > < the worst ~ circumstance > 2 a : being something that may or may not occur < a ~ surprise visit > b : being something that may or may not be true or actual < ~ explanation > 3 : having an indicated potential < a ~ housing site >
pos•si•bly \-blē\ adv (14c) 1 : in a possible manner: by any possibility < that’s all she could ~ do > 2 : by merest chance: PERHAPS < ~ he will recover > 3 : it is possible or imagine-able : CONCEIVABLY < a political libel which may ~ damage me – G.B. Shaw >
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
so what?
prob•a•bil•i•ty \ˌprä-bə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ n, pl -ties (15c) 1 : the quality or state of being probable 2 : something (as an event or circumstance) that is probable 3 a (1) : the ratio of the number of outcomes in an exhaustive set of equally likely outcomes that produce a given event to the total number of possible outcomes (2) : the chance that a given event will occur b : a branch of mathematics concerned with the study of probabilities 4 : a logical relation between statements such that evidence confirming one confirms the other to some degree
prob•a•ble \ˈprä-bə-bəl, ˈprä(b)-bəl\ adj [ME, fr. L probabilis commendable, probable, fr. probare to test, approve, prove — more at PROVE] (1606) 1 : supported by evidence strong enough to establish presumption but not proof < a ~ hypothesis > 2 : establishing a probability < ~ evidence > 3 : likely to be or become true < ~ outcome >
prob•a•bly \ˈprä-bə-blē, ˈprä(b)-blē\ adv (1613) : insofar as seems reasonably true, factual, or to be expected : without much doubt < is ~ happy > < it will ~ rain >
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
whatever!
naval
i really like the satellite GIF i made
i’m happy of myself – that i made it – and, the process going into it
timing… what luck!
felt a self-critical sense of naval-gazing when i realized how much i liked my work and the process going into it
and, until now, i’ve accepted navel-gazing as a critical observation – rarely desirable
i suppose that’s because i hadn’t been critical of the term
navel•gazing \ˈnā-vəl-ˈgā-ziŋ\ n (1963) : useless or excessive self contemplation
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
yeah, i have a bone to pick…
if this is how contemplation is defined, understood, and used:
con•tem•pla•tion \ˌkän-tem-ˈplā-shən, -ˌtəm\ n (13c) 1 a : concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion b : a state of mystical awareness of God’s being 2 : an act of considering with attention : STUDY 3 : the act of regarding steadily 4 : INTENTION, EXPECTATION
(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
i think it stands to reason that contemplation of one’s self can be pretty powerful
also…
who gets to say what amounts to “excessive” self contemplation?
who draws the line on what constitutes usefulness?
first whiffs of usage are from the 1960’s?!
sounds pretty fucking suspicious, to me
self contemplation ≠ narcissism
tired of oppressive language holding things back…
tops off – i’m gazing, baby!
Sam’s Blue Angels’ F/A-18 Hornet shape, which just got upgraded to the F/A-18 Super Hornet
caught glimpses of the Blue Angels during Fleet Week air shows, back in October
the Angels flew in formation over the neighborhood several afternoons in a row, which i really got a kick out of
paired Fleet Week with my first viewing of ‘Top Gun’, too – very naval
*(the Thunderbirds represent the U.S. Air Force and fly F-16 Fighting Falcons… just couldn’t help bringing up the force – g-force! ha!)
10/16
porch view party streamer
contrail from a “regular” plane – not a fighter jet
still, incredible to watch pass overhead at dusk
10/01
single-skillet-breakfast for dinner
cooking more – developing the dishes i enjoy making
cornbread toasted in brown butter with honey and butter melting over top, chicken apple sausage, and fried eggs in a cast iron skillet – personal favorite
10/17
Toontown ensemble styling
i just like this
ok, dinner time…
crafts·wom·an
had an opportunity to define what it is i “do” a couple days ago
i’ve grown more confident describing myself, in part, as a craftswoman
crafts•wom•an \ˈkraf(t)s-ˌwu-mən\ n (1886) 1 : a woman who is an artisan 2 : a woman who is skilled in a craft
while bearing in mind, i’m also an apprentice – still learning
ap•pren•tice \ə-ˈpren-təs\ n, often attrib [ME aprentis. fr. AF apprentiz, fr. aprendre to learn, fr. L apprendere, apprehendere] (14c) 1 a : one bound by indenture to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade b : one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or calling 2 : an inexperienced person: NOVICE <an ~ in cooking> — ap• pren•tice•ship \-tə(sh)-ˌship, -təs-ˌship\ n
looked up a couple neighboring terms, too
ar•ti•san \ˈär-tə-ˈzən, -sən, chiefly Brit ˌär-tə-ˈzan\ n [MF, fr. northern It dial. form of Tuscan artigiano, fr. arte art, fr. L art-, ars] (1538) 1 : a worker who practices a trade or handicraft : CRAFTSPERSON 2 : one that produces something (as cheese or wine) in limited quantities often using traditional methods — ar•ti•san•al \-zə-nᵊl, -sə-, -ˈza-\ adj — ar•ti•san•ship \-ˌship\ n
jour•ney•man \ˈjər-nē-mən\ n [ME fr. journey journey, a day’s labor + man] (15c) 1 : a worker who has learned a trade and works for another person usu. by the day 2 : an experienced reliable worker, athlete, or performer esp. as distinguished from one who is brilliant or colorful <a good ~ trumpeter — New Yorker> <a ~ outfielder>
hadn’t planned on taking down the definition for artist, but it was just beneath artisan and seeing i was already there…
art•ist \ˈär-tist\ n (ca. 1507) 1 a obs : one skilled or versed in learned arts b archaic : ARTISAN 1 2 a : one who professes and practices an imaginative art b : a person skilled in one of the fine arts 3 : a skilled performer esp. : ARTISTE 4 : one who is adept at something <con ~ > <strikeout ~ >
(definitions from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
sure, or whatever…
and, in the spirit of learning through creative process, a couple breadcrumbs from recent projects:
cord weaving at the station i set up in the living room
yoga block props were essential
‘I’ve Been Trying to Tell You’ - Saint Etienne (2021/Heavenly) photography by Alasdair McLellan, design by M/M (Paris)
highway sign cover design and ‘Fonteyn’ have been percolating
nice nice
es·chew
“uh-shoo”
mispronunciation and misspelling led to a definition wild goose chase – “achoo? ah-shoe? what?!”
es•chew \e-ˈshü, i-; es-ˈchü, is-; also e-ˈskyü\ vt [ME, fr. AF eschiver (3d pres. eschiu) of Gmc origin; akin to OHG sciuhen to frighten off — more at SHY] (14c) : to avoid habitually esp. on moral or practical grounds : SHUN syn see ESCAPE — es•chew•al \-əl\ n
‘Slouching Towards Bethlehem’ - Joan Didion (1961/Farrar, Straus and Giroux) cover design by Lawrence Ratzkin
leaving notes as i go – double underlines are for words i don’t know, yet.
several i’ve come across, so far:
an•ti•ma•cas•sar \ˌan-ti-mə-ˈka-sər\ n [anti- + Macassar (oil) (a hairdressing)] (1844) : a cover to protect the back or arms of furniture
apoc•ry•phal \-fəl\ adj (1590) 1 : of doubtful authenticity : SPURIOUS 2 often cap : of or resembling the Apocrypha syn see FICTITIOUS — apoc•ry•phal•ly \-fəlē\ adv — apoc•ry•phal•ness n
er•satz \ˈer-ˌsäts, -ˌzäts, er-ˈ; ˈər-ˌsats\ adj [G ersatz-, fr. Ersatz, n., substitute] (1875) : being a usu. artificial and inferior substitute or imitation <~turf> <~intellectuals> — ersatz n
rail•lery \ˈrā-lə-rē\ n, pl -ler•ies [F raillerie, fr. MF, fr. railler to mock] (1653) 1 : good-natured ridicule : BANTER 2 : JEST
de•noue•ment also dé•noue•ment \ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmän, dā-ˈnü-ˌ\ n [F dénouement, lit., untying, fr .MF desnouement, fr. desnouer to untie, fr. OF desnoer, fr. des- de- + noer to tie, fr. L nodare, fr. nodus knot — more at NODE] (1705) 1 : the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a literary work 2 : the outcome of a complex sequence of events
(definitions from Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition)
enjoying ‘Slouching…’ so far. clocked it in a ‘Sex Education’ scene – reminded of my own unread copy…
slow to start, eager to continue
ok, bye bye
lex·i·con
used “acerbic” the other day without confidently knowing its meaning, which is:
acer•bic \ə-ˈsər-bik, a-\ adj (1865) : acid in temper, mood, or tone < ~ commentary> <an ~ reviewer> — acer•bi•cal•ly \-bi-k(ə-)lē\ adv
still need to consciously re-direct to the desktop dictionary rather than a dictionary on the desktop. the ease and convenience of technology is nearly irresistible, sure; but things stick better for me when using a physical reference. still, many Google sourced definitions have been recorded in sketchbooks that have since been tucked away. pulling some of those notes out to keep here, for visibility sake.
abbreviated and scattershot post-it note definitions – mostly using Google, which references ‘The Oxford American College Dictionary’. used to text Google “define such-and-such” from my flip phone back in the T9 days for vocabulary on the go.
researched dictionary options before buying. this Slate article offers helpful user perspective, and this Youtube video featuring lexicographer Kory Stamper has cool info too. in the end, went with Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. i appreciate their descriptivist philosophy; and it was the kind i had as a kid – that definitely counts for something.
reached for the dictionary again the other day to look up “sardonic”. by that point i’d already started documenting and scanning the sketchbook definitions. wasn’t until a few pages in that i realized i’d already recorded a definition. the previous came from Google – here’s Merriam Webster’s take:
sar•don•ic \sär-ˈdä-nik\ adj [F sardonique, fr. Gk sardonios] (1638) : disdainfully or skeptically humorous : derisively mocking <a ~ comment> syn see SARCASTIC – sar•don•i•cal•y \-ni-k-(-ə)lē\ adv
part of the collection of unfamiliar words – definitions provided by ‘Merriam Webster’s’ this time.
while i’m here, the rest of the “pantograph” definition referenced in the chicken scratch thumbnail is:
pan•to•graph \ˈpan-tə-ˌgraf\ n [F pantographe, fr. pant- + -graphe -graph] (1723) 1 : an instrument for copying something (as a map) on a predetermined scale consisting of four light rigid bars jointed in parallelogram form; also : any of various extensible devices of similar construction (as for use as brackets or gates)…
(P.S. – should there every be a need to charm a lexicographer, remember this)